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10 Won Alexander von Humboldt

Issuer Central Bank of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Year 2008
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Weight 1 g
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Obverse lettering 조선민주주의인민공화국중앙은행 10 WON
(Translation: Central Bank of Democratic People`s Republic of Korea)
Reverse description A fully-rigged three-masted sailing tall ship rendered in fine detail occupies the central field, depicted underway on stylized waves. A ribbon banner at the upper portion of the field bears the dates '1906 - 2008', while a second scroll legend along the lower field reads 'ALEXANDER von HUMBOLDT', identifying the vessel. The design commemorates the famous German brig Alexander von Humboldt, built in 1906 and renowned as a German training ship.
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Additional information

North Korea's commemorative gold program of the mid-2000s was aimed squarely at foreign collectors and generated hard currency for the regime — these pieces never circulated domestically. Humboldt is an unusual choice for Pyongyang to honor, though his five-year South American expedition of 1799–1804 and his later travels through Russian Central Asia made him a figure whose scientific materialism could be framed, however awkwardly, within socialist intellectual traditions.

KM#1196 is among dozens of small-format gold issues from this period, most produced at the Bavarian State Mint under contract.

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